Buckle-type adjusting devices for dress forms



F. CROHN Dec. 24, 1957 BUCKLE-TYPE ADJUSTING DEVICES FOR DRESS FORMS Filed Dec. 28, 1955 FIGS FIG. 7

'INVENTOR. FRAN K CROHN ATTORNEYS.

United {gigs @1611:

BUCKLE-TYPE ADJUSTING DEVICES FOR DRESS FORMS Frank Crohn, Chicago, Ill.

Application December 28, 1955, Serial No. 555,938

4 Claims. (Cl. 2Z3-68) My invention relates to the sectional type of dress form, wherein the sections are assembled edge-to-edge and adjustable to vary their spacing from each other according to the size of garment for which the form is used. Fastening devices for the form sections usually occur on the inside of the form, and they are controlled by reaching into the form by way of the bottom, armpit or other openings therein. Access to the fastening devices is often difiicult; and their condition may be such as to soil or injure the hands when adjustments are made. Consequently, an adjusting device which is controllable from the outside of the form is desirable, and one object of the present invention is to provide such an adjusting device, the control being in the nature of a buckle.

A further object is to design the adjusting device on the sliding principle, with a buckle similar to a type used on suspenders or belts employed as the external control.

An additional object is to provide an installation of the above character which is easy to manipulate and vertically flush with the outside of the form, so as to be out of the way when the form is used.

With the above objects in view, a better understanding of the invention may be had by reference to the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a form of the type under consideration and the placement of fastening devices therein;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged elevation of one fastening shown as seen from the outside;

Fig. 3 is a view of the showing in Fig. 2 as seen from the inside of the form;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a cross-section on the line 55 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a group perspective view on the components of the buckle control; and

Fig. 7 is a section on the line 77 of Fig. 4.

In accordance with the foregoing, specific reference to the drawing indicates the dress form in Fig. l, and two adjoining sections thereof at 10 and 11. The main element of the fastening device is a rod which occurs behind the sections 10 and 11 and spans the same as shown in Fig. 4. One end portion of the rod 15 is connected to the section 11 by means of a rivet 16. The remaining portion of the rod 15 passes through an aperture 18 made in a sheet metal keeper 19 carried by the section 10.

The installation of the keeper 19 first involves the mounting of a tubular receptacle 21 through the section 10in order to reinforce the same, the receptacle having an outward flange 22 overlying the face of the form. Also, the receptacle is formed with an internal annular ledge 24, the stock of the section 10 being formed to fit such ledge, as shown in Fig. 4.

The keeper 19 is part of a buckle 25 which is frequently used for suspenders or belts to adjust the length of the same. Thus, the buckle 25 is divided at its base to form spaced legs 26 and an intermediate pocket 28; and the keeper 19 is formed with a hook 30 at the top, as clearly shown in Fig. 6, designed to seat in the pocket 28 as is shown in Fig. 4.

The buckle 25 is closed normally, in which event it draws on the rod 15 to keep it in engagement with the inner end of the receptacle 21, as per full lines in Fig. 4. This engagement prevents the sliding of the rod 15 through the buckle, and maintains the corresponding spacing of the sections 10 and 11. However, in case such spacing is to be changed, the fingernail is applied to the left-hand edge of the buckle 25-as seen in Fig. 4- to raise the same, so that the components of the buckle appear according to the dotted lines in the same figure. This action breaks the tension of the buckle, so that the relation of the keeper 19 to the rod 15 is loose, making it possible to separate or gather the sections 10 and 11 of the form as desired. When the desired spacing is attained, it is only necessary to press down on the buckle edge 35 in order to put the buckle under tension and procure the locking engagement of the rod 15.

It will now be apparent that the buckle control is an efficient device to free the rod 15 quickly when an adjustment of a pair of form sections is desired; and with this done by hand, it is only necessary to press the buckle back to its original position in order to fix the spacing of the sections. The buckle is of a type to be fl-ush with the outside surface of the form; and the flanges 22 of the receptacle 21 are also practically flush with such surface. The ledge 24 is employed as a rest or support for the legs 26 of the buckle, as shown in Fig. 5. An adjusting device is therefore had which is very simple along the inner side of the dress form, and employs a well-known type of control involving few parts, yet accomplishing the idea of an external and flush type of control for the adjusting device.

While I have described the invention along specific lines, various minor changes or refinements may be made therein without departing from its principle, andI reserve the right to employ all such changes and refine ments as may come within the scope and spirit of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An adjusting device for controlling the edgewise spacing of sections in a hollow dress form comprising a rod spanning the sections along the inner side, means for attaching one end of the rod to one of the sections, the other section having a perforation, a support fitted in the latter, a keeper mounted in the support for the sliding adjustment of the rod, and a buckle mounted in the support and operable from the outside of the form to draw on the keeper for engaging the rod frictionally with the support, whereby to lock the rod against sliding movement.

2. The structure of claim 1, said buckle having a finger-actuated plate retractable from an extended position to one flush with the outside of the form when the buckle is operated as stated.

3. The structure of claim 1, said support being tubular.

4. The structure of claim 1, said support being tubular and with an internal ledge on which the buckle is mounted.

Granger Feb. 2, 1916 Berger Nov, 15, 1955 

